* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Magic New Zealand e-zine * www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #158 Date: 16th February 2003 Editor: Alan Watson www.magician.co.nz www.alan-watson.com e-mail: AW@Alan-Watson.com ================================ Hi here is the latest news ================================ 1. Editor’s Message 2. International Magic Yellow Pages 3. I.B.M. Announces New Convention Event 4. Tony Brook To Co-Host World Class Magic With Dan Garrett 5. Auction Coming Up 6. Tony and Juleen Interview by Alan Watson 7. Magic Library For Sale 8. Japan Cup Show & Party In Tokyo 9. Creative And Technical Direction For Magicians 10. 2003 Woman Of Valor Gala 11. Wanting Address For The Following Magazines/Publications 12. "America's First Family Of Magic" 13. Kid-Show Magic Workshop In Canada 14. Black Art Lecture 15. One Of The Best Web-Masters 16. Fund Raiser For Special Olympics 17. David Copperfield DVD Search 18. Disney On Channel Seven - Fast Jimmy 19. The Amazing ‘Orchante’ Saga - Page 146 20. Magic New Zealand e-zine archives 21. Subscription Management ------------------------------------ 1. Editor's Message ------------------------------------- Message from Alan Watson - The Magic One ‘Paul Daniels Magic Masterclass 2003’ - Sydney, Australia: Any magician who plans to work professionally will find Paul’s course inspiring. As a professional magician who comes from a sales and marketing background, I personally picked up new ideas which I can easily implement. The format was presented in very simplistic terms which can be integrated quickly into your marketing to bring about worthwhile results. A special thank you to Sean Taylor who organised this very memorable event in Sydney. ---------------------------------- ‘Paul Daniels Magic Masterclass 2003 tour dates’ United Kingdom Dates (March/April 2003): Saturday 22nd March – Birmingham (Renaisance Hotel, Solihull) Sunday 23rd March - Leeds (Thorpe Park Hotel and Spa - J46 of M1) Saturday 5th April – London (Crowne Plaza Hotel, Heathrow (Stockley Park) U.S.A. Dates (April 2003): Saturday 12th April – Chicago (Jay Marshall's Magic INC Theatre) Sunday 13th April - New York (McGinn Theatre - Home of Monday Night Magic) Tuesday 15th April – Orlando (Hilton Hotel, Altamonte off I-4) Saturday 19th April - Las Vegas (Jeff McBrides Magic Centre in Las Vegas) Sunday 20th April - Los Angeles (Double Tree Guest Suites Hotel in Santa Monica off I-10) For more details on the Paul Daniels' Magical Masterclass check out: www.pdmasterclass.com ----------------------------------------------- Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: AW@Alan-Watson.com ---------------------------------- 2. International Magic Yellow Pages ---------------------------------- Message from Wittus Witt (Germany) In July 2003 (FISM -Year) the 10th edition of the world's only magic reference file will be published. It is published on a regular basis since 1977. Please, fill in this form and send it back as soon as possible. Two entries are absolutely free of charge. The no. 10 Edition will be the FISM Jubilee issue, published on that occasion. this July. Here is the official form to fill in: free * Choose your subject(s) / Wählen Sie Ihre Rubrik(en) * kostenlos O Advertising/Werbung O Archive(s) O Balloons O Books/Bücher/Publisher O Clubs O Coins/Münzen O Collectors/Sammler O Electronic/Fire/Feuer/Pyro O Escapes/Entfesselungen O Illusions O Lecturers/Seminarist O Magic Tours O Mental O Periodical (no clubs/keine Vereine) O Playingcards O Schools O Second Hand O Specialist_______________ O Translators  (Language/s)________________ O Tricks O Ventriloquism O Videos O Webpage Advertisements and bold printing Deadline for Ads 28. March 2003 O Entries with bold printing/border, each additional entry Eur 12,00 O Advertisements (Type Area = 11,8 cm width x 19,0 cm height) 1/1 Page Eur 667,00 1/2 Page Eur 335,00 1/4 Page Eur 168,00 1/8 Page Eur 85,00 1/1 Spalte/Column Eur 225,00 1/2 Spalte/Column Eur 112,00 1/4 Spalte/Column Eur 57,00 1/8 Spalte/Column Eur 29,00 Money must accompany the order, foreign checks plus 5% bankhandling, no bills, NO CREDIT CARDS. The 10th edition will cost Euro 35,00, if you order until Mai 31st 2003 the price is Euro 28,00, payable in advance. Name of Business Geschäftsname__________________________________ Name___________________________________________ First name/Vorname______________________________ Street/Straße____________________________________ Zip/Postal Code _____________________________ City/Ort__________________________________________ State____________________________________________ Country_________________________________________ Telephone______________________________________ Telefax_________________________________________ Email___________________________________________ Web site_______________________________________ I pay by paper money under separate cover Check will follow assignment follows Deutsche Bank Krefeld, Kto-Nr.111 55 00, BLZ 320 700 24 NO CREDIT CARDS - keine Kreditkarten Wittus Witt • Haus Vogelsang • Postfach 130749 • D-47759 Krefeld • Germany Tel.: ++49-2151-711670 • Fax: ++49-2151-712225 e-mail: abc@WittusWitt.de • homepage: www.WittusWitt.de ------------------------------------ 3. I.B.M. Announces New Convention Event ------------------------------------- Message from Mindy Burden (US) The I.B.M. is excited to announce an all-new convention event for Junior Members. The Convention will offer an exclusive 3-day Workshop ONLY for Junior Members of the I.B.M. The ever-popular Aldo Colombini will lead the workshop. The Workshop will be on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of the convention for 1½ hours each day. The witty Italian turned All-American will do more than teach tricks. Aldo will work with the Junior Members on techniques, handling, and staging. There will be instruction in stage and close-up and well as practice time. All of this is included in your Junior Membership Convention Registration fee of only $100!! This means you get the exclusive workshop plus 4 evening shows, a close-up show, many lectures, dealers galore, plus all the fun and excitement of an International convention for your $100! In addition, there will also be a Welcome Party and Send-off Party for ALL youth at the convention. Magic Youth International (MYI) is hosting a party for Junior Members on Friday evening. Youth attending the convention who are non-magicians or do not wish to participate in the Workshop can enjoy other special activities. And, of course, we will have the Autograph Session with the Convention Stars for kids of all ages. Please visit the IBM website: www.magician.org for updated convention information or to download a registration form. Or, get a registration for from the face sheet of your Linking Ring. Or, e-mail Mindy Burden at jam3rma@avolve.net or Mel Kientz at napamagic@aol.com We will be glad to help you! ------------------------------------- 4. Tony Brook To Co-Host World Class Magic With Dan Garrett ------------------------------------- Message from Tony Brook (US) Tony Brook To Co-Host World Class Magic With Dan Garrett Following an invitation by Dan Garrret and Dave Goodsell, the Editor of MUM - the monthly magazine of The Society of American Magicians - Tony Brook will be co-hosting the World Class Magic section in the magazine. The publication is not for sale and is sent exclusively only to members of S.A.M. As the title of the section implies, World Class Magic features a short bio on especially selected international magicians followed by an effect contributed by the magician. After accepting the invitation, Tony Brook was asked for his reaction and responded, “I am truly honored to have the opportunity not only to work alongside a dear friend but also a Master Magician. I am also privileged to be able to contribute in a small way to M-U-M and to The Society of American Magicians. This is a very real opportunity for all of us to really ‘share the magic’. The April 2003 issue will carry further news on the Dan Garrett / Tony Brook regular feature. Despite the implications of its name, The Society of American Magicians is an International organization and anyone, irrespective of geographical location, with an interest in magic can apply to join. Full details can be found on their website. --------------------------------- 5. Auction Coming Up ---------------------------------- Message from Mike Shelley, President SAM Assembly 76 An auction coming up that many won't want to miss On Wednesday March 5th 7:30 PM A Special Auction The Magic of Emil Lowe At The Miami Shores Country Club Emil Lowe International Ambassador for the SAM for 30 years Some of the pieces are from all over the world Hundreds of items will be auctioned off with all proceeds going to his wife, Trudy. Attendance is open to everyone, but the club requests gentlemen wear a jacket. Items include but are not limited to: Rice Silks Botania 12 Bottle Passé Passé Set Lecture Notes Antique Magic The Books of Wonder Mutilated Parasol Instruction sheets from old and new tricks --------------------------------- 6. Tony and Juleen Interview by Alan Watson ---------------------------------- Message from Alan Watson – Editor Magic New Zealand While in Sydney, Australia last week attending the Paul Daniels Masterclass 2003, I took the opportunity to catch up with Tony and Juleen to see their illusion show at Wonderland - "Spellbinding Sorcery". Consummate professionals, they're always striving to improve every facet of their extremely popular show for all ages to enjoy. My favourite segment would have to be their presentation of the Origami illusion which was pure theatre, and received a great response from the audience. Interview with Tony and Juleen: *Alan* - What is the running order of your show "Spellbinding Sorcery"? *Tony* - We have four Aliens come out in the Pre-show where they interact with the audience. *Juleen* - This occurs while the audience is waiting for the show to begin. *Tony* - This takes their mind away from the fact that they are in a theme park, and allows them to concentrate on a support act. The curtains opens, the rocket takes off, then we have a double flash appearance producing four performers, who are more than dancers, as they are actually magic assistants. From there they produce me from a crossover screen. This is followed by a single Tip Over Trunk routine. *Juleen* - Then we go into the Elastic Lady illusion called the Tube Stretcher, preceded by the Dove Production. *Juleen* - Next comes the children's audience participation routine, during which Tony performs the Linking Rings. *Juleen* - Then we move into Clearly Impossible, which is the Perspex Sawing In Half - Jonathan Pendragon's version built by Bill Smith. After that Juleen performs the Newspaper Tear solo, followed by Origami, made by John Gaughan. *Tony* - This is one of the highlights of the show - a themed production with an oriental flavour. This piece concludes with the Cloak vanish where Juleen is transformed into a Diamond Python, an Australian native snake, and of course, diamonds are a girls best friend! After that, we perform the French Guillotine. It stands 2 metres in height, and we use a member of the audience for this illusion. In our final segment we produce Juleen from the Granite Box. We then move on to the Y2K Illusion, an original design of mine, built by Chris Murphy of Oz Illusions. Juleen and I enter a steel container which is raised above the stage. A pyro explodes, the doors swing open revealing an empty space, followed by Juleen and I reappearing at the rear of the audience. Chris and I are now releasing the Y2K Illusion for sale to the magic fraternity. Chris's contact is www.ozillusions.com *Alan* - When did you start at Wonderland? *Juleen* - We've been at Wonderland Sydney for almost 3½ years now. We started in September 1999. *Tony* - The show is called "Spellbinding Sorcery". However, the original name of the show was "Millennium Magic" because it was the turn of the new millennium. It had a futuristic space themed influence. *Juleen* - We came to Wonderland, after a six month contract with a casino in the Canary Islands. This was followed by a month's work in Germany. It was while we were overseas we negotiated the contract to come here to Wonderland Sydney. *Tony* - Since then we've probably performed 2,000 shows. We are currently in the process of changing some elements of the current show. The new finale replacing Y2K, is the production in which Juleen is transformed into a Tiger. *Alan* - How many shows a week do you perform? *Juleen* - We work seven days a week. We normally perform one show a day. During school holidays and public holidays we tend to do two, depending on the crowd, sometimes three if it's really busy. Currently, showtimes are at 2.00pm daily. The park is closed on Christmas Day only. We have a cast of eight girls, four of whom perform in each show. *Tony* - Angel McIntosh is our full time choregrapher and Dance Captain. Our staff also consists of two sound operators, four stage managers and two dressers, one of each working every show. *Alan* - How many hours a day would you put in? *Juleen* - We probably work here at Wonderland itself an average of about forty to forty-four hours per week. *Tony* - But at this point in time, with all the changes being made to the show, including the upcoming Tiger Illusion, we've been spending up to eighty hours here. With these changes, the computerised lighting needs to be replotted. *Juleen* - The lighting for the tiger illusion in total took thirty-three hours over a period of three nights, working until the wee hours of the morning. *Tony* - That's after having done the show, rehearsed the illusions, had meetings with management, worked out logistics with tigers and tiger handlers and how to load the cat into the illusion because it's a non-interactive animal. Part of the motivation in performing the Tiger Illusion is to raise awareness of the plight of this endangered species. *Alan* - And your website is? *Juleen* - Our website is www.tonyandjuleen.com Our current contract runs until April 2003, so we are inviting everyone to come to Wonderland Sydney to see the Tiger Illusion for a limited time. *Alan* - Now where's Wonderland? *Juleen* - Eastern Creek, Sydney, Australia, off the M4 Motorway towards the Blue Mountains. -------------------------------- 7. Magic Library For Sale ---------------------------------- Message from Dave Boyd (Aust) I am planning on making this my last year performing full time. I have been performing for about 30 years now over 20 of them as Magic Mountain's Mr Magic. That's a long booking over twenty years of school holidays, seven days a week. Then of an evening I perform at other venues. When not at Magic Mountain, I have performed in most states of Australia, a little in NZ, add to that the Philippines and the UK. I feel it is time to hang up my wand. As part of my winding down, I plan to sell off my Magic Library, it covers most facets of magic. Simple paperback books for beginners, through to much heavier books, in both senses of the word, like Jack Hughes's WORLD OF MAGIC and Byron G Wels's THE GREAT ILLUSIONS OF MAGIC, A TWO VOLUME SET OF PLANS AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR MAKING OVER 100 GREAT ILLUSIONS. It goes into the minutest details on manufacturing each illusion. Right down to how to make your own spring hinges. Anyone requiring a copy of the list with prices, send me an email with magic book list in the subject line and I will email them a copy. Owing to mailing costs that the buyer pays, I would suggest only magicians from Australia and New Zealand should consider the list, but if they are prepared to pay the high freight charges to many countries. I am happy to email them a list. I can take Visa, Bank Card or Mastercard anywhere in the world or Cheques from Australia and New Zealand. Contact details as follows. Email boyddp@hotmail.com Phone inside Australia 02 64922940, outside Australia 61 2 64922940, Fax 02 64925940 or 61 2 64925940 Mail PO Box 337, Bega, NSW, Australia 2550 ---------------------------------- 8. Japan Cup Show & Party In Tokyo ---------------------------------- Message from Tashiro Shigeru (Japan) JCMA, Japan Close up Magicians Association, is going to have Japan Cup show & party in Tokyo next month. Date: March 23 (SUN) 2003 PM2:00 - 7:00 Fee: $100 Guest Parformers: Chris Korn (USA) CHOI, Hyun-Woo (Korea - The winner of the Close Up contest in IBM convention 2002 in San Diego) Tomo Maeda (Japan) Kimoto Hidekazu (Japan) LEE EUN GYEL (Korea - The winner of the Golden Lion Award in World Magic Seminar 2003 in Las Vegas) P.J. (Taiwan) Jeremy Pei - Singapore) Cyril & Jane (Japan - The winner for the Golden Lion Award in World Magic Seminner 2002 in Las Vegas). Magicians who receive the Japan Cup Awards also perform at the party. The program is over 40 pages and many articles are translated into English. The attendees will have a gift, which is a specially made magic prop, too. (You can buy the program by credit card (VISA/Master), even if you cannot come to Tokyo.) It'll be one of the most exciting shows & parties in Asia. JCMA staff members are ready to assist your journey to Japan and sightseeing in Japan. Please contact me for the details. Tashiro Shigeru magic@kk.iij4u.or.jp www.japancup.net TEL +81-48-591-1971 FAX +81-48-590-1667 ---------------------------------- 9. Creative And Technical Direction For Magicians ---------------------------------- Message from Elio Simonetti (Aust) Elio Simonetti, whom many of you will know from the past three World Festival of Magic tours, is offering creative and technical consultation for magicians in Australia. Visit eliosimonetti.tripod.com for more information. ---------------------------------- 10. 2003 Woman Of Valor Gala ---------------------------------- Message from Michael Grandinetti Los Angeles, CA - February 4, 2003 - Illusionist Michael Grandinetti will perform at the 2003 Woman of Valor Gala at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA on Thursday, February 6. All proceeds from the event will benefit the American Diabetes Association and Children's Hospital Los Angeles. With co-chair and committee members including Jamie Lee Curtis, Danny Devito, Rhea Perlman, Amy Brenneman, and California Governor Gray Davis, this year's event will honor Francine R. Kaufman, M.D. for dedicating her clinical and research career to improving the lives of children affected by diabetes. In addition, Dr. Kaufman has led many advocacy efforts to increase insurance benefits and reduce discrimination against people with diabetes. "As entertainers, one of the most powerful, and most important things we can do is to use our skills to help others and benefit a good cause," Michael said. "I greatly admire Dr. Kaufman's work and am happy to be able to contribute to this very special evening." As of February 1, the black-tie gala was completely sold out with an expected audience of 900 people. ---------------------------------- 11. Wanting Address For The Following Magazines/Publications ---------------------------------- Message from Neil Martin (UK) I am hoping you can point me in the right direction. We have a Magic Dealer client who wishes to advertise in the following magazines/publications. Does anyone know if they are still in existence and if so are any contact details known, etc. The list we have been given is a few years old! Epoptica (Jeff Busby?) New Tops (Abbotts?) Australian Magic Monthly Innovator (Austria?) Avantgarde Magic (Germany?) Intermagic (Germany?) Il Mago (Italy?) Aga Magic (India?) De Mago a Mago (Mexico?) Magicana (New Zealand?) Trapdoor (Steve Beam?) Any info much appreciated. -- Neil Martin Candi Design Limited Studio 4, Clyde Road Works, Clyde Road, Wallington, Surrey, SM6 8PZ T: 020 8669 3128 F: 020 8404 2621 W: www.candidesign.co.uk ---------------------------------- 12. "America's First Family Of Magic" ---------------------------------- Message from Vince Carmen (US) Vince Carmen and "America's First Family of Magic" returned last week from their 6th annual tour of the Florida Keys, including Key West. Vince reports that ticket sales and concession sales were the best ever for this touring 2 hour show. These shows are presented in school auditoriums and gymnasiums as fundraisers using Vince's unique promotional plan incorportaing free student tickets. Vince does offer advice and organization on a fee basis for other interested showmen, interested? ---------------------------------- 13. Kid-Show Magic Workshop In Canada ---------------------------------- Message from Chris Van Krieken (Canada) Are you looking for ways to improve your kid-show performing skills? Looking for new jokes, bits of business, magic tricks, and funny routines for you children's shows? The Secret Ingredient Seminar may be just what the doctor ordered? Samuel Patrick Smith is bringing his refreshing one-day laugh-and-learn seminar to Canada in April. The seminars will be held in Toronto, Ontario (Saturday, April 26) and Ottawa, Ontario (Sunday, April 27). You'll see lots of fun demonstrations, kid-show magic tricks and routines, plus learn the S-E-C-R-E-T to successfully entertaining children and taking your performances to the next level. An engaging question- answer period, interaction with other performers, and a drawing for some great magic props, books, and videos will make this one of the most enjoyble seminars you'll attend this year! The workshop registration fee is only $49CDN. More information on Sammy's Secret Ingredient Seminar and registration forms are available on the Funny Paper Magazine website at www.funnypapermag.com. If you have any questions, please contact Chris Van Krieken at 1-866-235-5550 (toll-free). Register before April 5 and you will receive a FREE CD containing a 65-page collection of some of the best articles, which appeared in the Funny Paper Magazine between June 2000 and June 2002. Samuel Patrick Smith is a top-notch entertainer, prolific writer, sensational lecturer, and a fabulous manufacturer of numerous products on entertaining children. To learn more about Sammy's products, visit his website at www.spsmagic.com ---------------------------------- 14. Black Art Lecture ---------------------------------- Message from Don Drake (US) I teach Black Art for practical working magicians that does not normally involve special conditions and lighting! Some of the effects I teach are stunningly visual and different, some are covert and hidden, and all are easy and inexpensive! I've still got a few openings for the May-June tour of Fantasy In Black 2003. I'm driving I-10 from coast to coast headed East in May, and West on I-40 to return the first two weeks in June. If you would like to receive information about the tour, please get in touch soonest. My lecture fee is reasonable and I'm willing to drive up to 200 miles off course ! Thanks to all, Yours in Black Art Magic, DONDRAKE The Magic of DONDRAKE 1412-A Santa Margarita St., Las Vegas, NV 89146-9306 Ph. 702-880-5370 dondrake@blackartsecrets.com See us at http://blackartsecrets.com ---------------------------------- 15. One Of The Best Web-Masters ---------------------------------- Message from Don Drake (US) I'd really like to tell you about one of the best web-masters I've ever come across. His name is Harold Baughan and you've read his stories in MUM for years. If you are on the EG, or any of a dozen other magic information sources, you will have read Harold's comments. Here is one man who knows how to think 'outside the box'. Since he put up my new web site (check it out) my traffic has tripled at least. He knows meta-marketing and he knows how to keep the site from the harvesters. His URL is downeast@neguide.com. Compared to the other so-called webmasters he is inexpensive, and he really puts in an effort, especially for magicians. So if you are not happy with your website, give him a holler! ---------------------------------- 16. Fund Raiser For Special Olympics ---------------------------------- Message from Roy Porfido (US) I produce a show each year in Livermore, California called Livermore Follies. This is a fund raiser for Special Olympics and all proceeds go to the Alameda County Chapter of Special Olympics. The year the show will be on Friday, February 21, 2003 at the Livermore High School Performing Arts Theatre at 7:00 p.m. This year the show is Livermore Follies Salutes Broadway and features magicians (including your friend, Zappo), a ventriloquist, Jerry Barrilleaux and Reggie, Maurice Liberman and Oscar De Larente Schindler, the Singing Pug (not Pub) Dog as well as a local dance studio that will perform two numbers from Broadway musicals ("Cool" from West Side Story and "One" from A Chorus Line. I will M.C. the show. Tickets are just $10 for adults and $5 for children under twelve. Tickets can be had at Goodenough Books in Livermore and the Livermore Police Department. This is a joint venture of Roy's Magic Camp, the Rotary Club of Livermore Valley and the Livermore Police Department. I though this might be some information for your next issue. Timing should be just about right. Let me know if there is more information you would like about this event. ---------------------------------- 17. David Copperfield DVD Search ---------------------------------- Message from Michael Krantis (Aust) I am urgently seeking a copy of the David Copperfield - Illusion DVD to add to my collection of Magic DVD's. Please note the following...for those that can help.... I have tried dealing with CBS Fox and they do not submit international orders due to copyright zone laws. I have phoned a tonne of famous Magic Shops and they do not keep it in stock. Can anyone suggest anywhere in Australia I might be able to buy this from or does any Magician out there wish to sell one they do not want anymore? I have also tried all of the Virgin Stores, Blockbuster outlets, Easy DVD stores and Famous Bookshops including BORDERS Emporium. Can anyone Help? Unfortunately I do not have a decent friend to rely on in the US who could purchase it for me, not even my Uncle who is a University Lecturer in Ottawa Canada can seem to find the time! My details are: alakazam@picknowl.com.au ---------------------------------- 18. Disney On Channel Seven - Fast Jimmy ---------------------------------- Message from Fast Jimmy (Aust) Australian magician Fast Jimmy today performed 5 separate segments of magic on TV show Saturday Disney on channel seven. The entire show was themed around magic and some of the following effects were performed; Basketball from briefcase production, signed card (ambitious card routine) ending with card to wallet, silk to egg trick (teach a trick segment) ending with the plastic egg turning into a real egg. --------------------------------- 19. The Amazing ‘Orchante’ Saga – Page 146 ---------------------------------- Message from Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi) The Palace Tavern, Rotorua - we last worked at the Palace 13,14 & 15th of May 1976, two months prior to leaving for Fiji / Australia; it was also the last time I worked with or saw Simon Mehana, who was doing a couple of spots between our shows on the night. Simon was the ‘Funny Man’ half of the famous ‘Lou and Simon’ duo. They’d split up (apart from reunions) by that time, but Simon carried on performing solo in hotels etc. around the country. Sadly, Simon passed away in October, 2001. The Trees Tavern, Tokoroa; I remember this one because of a most amusing incident that occurred during the ‘Psychic Surgery’ (String Thing), the finale of the fakir show. The Trees Tavern was/is, a major drinking hole for hundreds of employees working in nearby forests for the forestry commission. They sure were a tough lot – burly, rough and tumble men who worked, drank and played hard. Our stage, which we had set up in a corner of the long bar, was comprised of empty beer crates with two wooden boards on top; they normally covered and protected the snooker tables when not in use. The conditions were pretty rough, as was the tavern’s clientele, but when you are a professional N.Z. entertainer, good old ‘kiwi’ ingenuity comes to the fore when needs must. It is well-known (‘legend’?) that we New Zealanders can fix damn near anything with a length of barbwire and a bit of flax! The long bar which stretched away from us on our right, was packed (as was the entire room) with a solid line of sceptical forestry workers as we entertained on our minuscule stage. The ‘Fire act’ really got their attention, and our ‘Human Sandwich/Beds of Nails’ routine, with two, hefty, twenty stone volunteers lending their weight to the act, really shook them up! The ‘Sword Swallowing’ didn't faze them at all - those guys were tough! Then I performed the ‘Psychic Surgery’. Swallowing the string was okay until I hauled out my rather lethal ‘Kukri Knife’, and stabbed myself in the stomach! Several suntanned faces turned markedly white, then several shades of yellowish/green as I dug into the wound with surgical clamps and began extracting the bloodied string - inch by inch, from out of my stomach. It was all too much for one ‘giant’ of a man, who was standing at the bar several few feet away from us - HE FAINTED! As he toppled over sideways, his dead, solid weight hit the man next to him, who also fell sideways, he in turn…One by one men fell over like ninepins in a bowling alley! The entire bar was in an uproar of hysterical laughter at the incongruous sight of big, tough, ‘HE-MEN’ lying collapsed on the floor! The poor sods must have copped ‘heaps’ afterwards - as far as the rest of the blokes were concerned, they had ALL fainted in fright! They must have enjoyed the show though, as we had many repeat bookings at the Trees Tavern – it was a great little earner! And so the list goes on. The Masonic Hotel, Opotiki: The Matamata Hotel, Matamata: The Angus Inn, Hastings: The Jubilee Hotel, Otaki: The Central Hotel, Hawera: The Waikanae Hotel, Waikanae: The Paraparaumu Hotel: The DB Fitzherbert Motor Inn, Palmerston North: The Awapuni Motor Hotel, Palmerston North: The New Leopard Inn, Napier: The Bay View Hotel, Napier: The Sandown Park Hotel, Gisborne: The Commercial Hotel, Whakatane: The Bell Block Hotel, New Plymouth: The Fitzroy Hotel, New Plymouth: The Clyde Hotel, Wairoa: The County Hotel, Stratford: The Castle Cliff Hotel, Wanganui: The Ellerslie Motor Inn, Auckland: The Great Northern Hotel, Auckland: The Milford Marina Hotel, Auckland: The Eastside Tavern, Hamilton: The Grand Hotel, Whangarei: The Kameo hotel, Whangarei: The Kawerau Hotel, Kawerau: The Mangakino Hotel, Mangakino. The Okoroire Hot Springs Hotel, Okoroire; holds a special a special place in my heart; I do hope it is still there, it’s one place I’d enjoy revisiting, if or when we return home. It is situated north of Tirau, off H/way 27 or, south of Matamata, again H/way 27, or take a right off H/way 24 onto H/way 29 and go through Te Poi. Alluring Okoroire is not known to many; it’s secreted off the tourist track. I worked there for three consecutive Xmases, from Christmas day to after New Years Eve from 1969 –71. The then hosts/owners, Bill Taylor and his wife were most gracious; they even gave me a master key to the thermal hot pools - I had access to them whenever I wished, especially after they had been closed to the hotel patrons. After a show, it was quite something to wander down the track long after midnight, on a beautiful, crystal-clear starry night, to luxuriate in the soothing waters of the tepid open-air pool. The only sounds were the gentle rustling of leaves, the haunting ‘mo-pork’ cries of an owl and the distant thundering of the Waihou river falls. Experiencing that entrancing, tranquil setting throughout the wee small hours, on numerous balmy New Zealand summer nights - really was quite ‘MAGICAL’! ------------------------------------- 20. Magic New Zealand e-zine archives ------------------------------------- Back issues of the Magic New Zealand e-zine go to: www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html Both the User Name and Password MUST be entered in lower case to gain access. User Name: magic Password: kiwi When you enter the archive the e-zines are in issue order and are coded. Eg 001 Nov06 1999.txt first three numbers (001) denote issue number, then the date (Nov06) and the last figures the year (1999) Both the User Name and Password MUST be entered in lower case to gain access. ------------------------------------- 21. Subscription Management ------------------------------------- Our subscriber list is NOT made available to other companies or individuals. We value every subscriber and respect your privacy. To subscribe or unsubscribe from the Magic New Zealand e-zine: www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html Magic New Zealand e-zine is published weekly, on Sunday. The opinions expressed in this e-zine are those of the individual contributors and not those of Magic New Zealand. Neither Magic New Zealand or Alan Watson can vouch for the accuracy or reliability of any opinion, message, statement, or other information reported via Magic New Zealand e-zine. Subscribers to this publication and authors who contribute to it by doing so agree that they will not hold Magic New Zealand and/or Alan Watson liable or responsible in any way for the opinions expressed herein. We reserve the right to edit, correct or, in our discretion, choose not to publish any submissions provided to Magic New Zealand for potential publication. Magic New Zealand welcomes readers to submit timely articles or news items which appear to be of interest to our readers. Those submitting to this e-zine agree that we have permission to publish their submissions and that they have the full copyright to the material submitted. All works published by Magic New Zealand are fully protected by international copyright as provided by law, and articles cannot be published for profit by anyone other than the individual author without the written permission of Magic New Zealand. >>This publication may be freely redistributed (but not sold) to other magicians if copied in its ENTIRETY including the copyright notice below and the above disclaimer.<< © Copyright 2003 Alan Watson